Who Applies for a China Work Permit: Employer or Foreign Employee?
The China employer normally owns and submits the work-permit filing, while the foreign employee supplies accurate identity, qualification and supporting documents for that application.
Employer responsibilities
The official employment rules say the employer applies for permission to employ a foreigner. Current government guidance also directs the employer to submit work-permit applications through the applicable system and local service channel. The employer should confirm the position, contract, location, authority and filing timetable.
A legitimate employer should be able to name the person or authorized agency managing the case, identify the local authority and explain which originals or translations are needed. Be cautious if a purported employer asks the worker to obtain a Z visa without first producing the official work-permit notification.
Employee responsibilities
The worker must supply truthful, readable and current evidence. Common categories include passport, photo, work history, highest degree or professional qualification, criminal-record documentation, medical records and the signed employment contract. Exact authentication, translation and validity rules can vary by document and locality.
Review every employer-prepared form before it is submitted. Names, passport number, job title, salary or compensation terms, employer entity and dates should agree with the contract and later COVA application. Never sign a blank form or permit a material fact to be changed for convenience.
Handoff from permit notice to Z visa
Once the Notification Letter for Foreigner’s Work Permit is issued, the employee uses it for the Z-visa application with the basic U.S. application documents. COVA still requires accurate personal, employment and travel information; the employer’s prior filing does not complete COVA for the worker.
After arrival, employer and employee continue the local work-permit and residence-permit steps. Keep a shared checklist with owner, deadline and status for each item so the work-permit notice, visa, entry, accommodation registration and residence filing do not get treated as one vague task.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreign worker submit the employer’s filing alone?
Normally the China employer is the filing party. The worker supplies and verifies personal documents; local procedures should be confirmed with the employer’s authority.
Can an agent file the work permit?
An employer may be able to authorize a service agency under local rules, but that does not remove the employer’s responsibility or give the agent authority to issue the permit.
Who completes COVA for the Z visa?
The applicant remains responsible for the accuracy of COVA even if an employer or assistance service helps prepare it.
Related guides
- Work Permit Notification Checklist
- Degree and Apostille Guide
- COVA Employment History
- After Entering China with Z
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eChinaVisa can help identify the visa category, pre-review documents, prepare and check COVA, follow online preliminary review, and coordinate passport submission and return. We are an independent application assistance service, not a government website or government agency; approval, validity, entries and official processing time are decided by Chinese authorities.
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- Chinese Embassy in the U.S.: current Z visa documents
- China government: Rules for the Administration of Employment of Foreigners
- Reddit question about employer and employee work-permit steps (not an official rule)
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